France start their campaign at the Stade de France against Ireland on February 3rd with a potentially pivotal match against England at home in the penultimate round on March 10.

France have never won the World Cup, but have finished as runners-up on three occasions, most recently in 2011. However, Brunel insisted that the team needed to focus on short term objectives rather than obsess over the Webb Ellis Cup.

Intensity

“Let’s not think too much about the World Cup for now, there are steps to climb before that,” he said.

A decent showing in the Six Nations will require a high level of fitness from the players, Brunel added.

“High-level rugby is about intensity and speed and that’s what we need to concentrate on,” he said.

Les Bleus are in need of a significant confidence boost, having lost five of their last six matches, with no wins coming in their four international matches last November.

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